I cannot see that Flexible Renamer has been updated since May 2003 (except for addin of German UI in 2005) - is this program really to be counted among the best today?

I think so. Beside to Directory Opus i use FlexibleRenamer for completion for about two years.

One interesting point is: It has a fresh and streamlined interface although the program is now more than 4 years old. Most coders underestimate the importance of an interface or are not capable to design for usability. Flexible Renamer is a positive example for its age. Most newer tools and if they are containing more functions are less usable under aspects of usability.

I am surprised no one has suggested my favourite renamer: Ant Renamer (freeware with source code available)- Very good interface, simple and user friendly- Undo function- No RegEx but not a problem for me.

I couldn't decide which one to use, but I finally grabbed the FREE Rename Master from JoeJoe, the Jackass! It is too soon for me to say anything about the program, but here is a screenshot to hopefully tell more than a thousand words:

ReNamer: The best freeware file renamer? (yes says cybernetnews.com)

Though, but maybe it is adequate to add a few words from the author himself:

Quote from: Jackass JoeJoe

Features

- Intelligent number sorting- JPEG/MP3 tag support and many more Meta-Variables- Auto-Preview support - "Scipts" to save commonly used renaming options- and [?] command prompt style wildcards for replacing and remove options- "Undo" button so a renaming operation can be rolled back- Floating thumbnail window for viewing pictures and optional thumbnail file list view- Optional Explorer integration for right-clicking on folders or using "Send To"- no install program is needed.

Since years, I am quite happy with the shareware "Better File Rename" which is very well integrated with windows explorer. I have not yet tried their latest version 5.0, though. I think I will also give BRU and renamer a try.

i prefer 'Rename Master' also (okay, i know i'm repeating myself from earlier in this thread).

i think the use of the tabs in rename master just make it a little easier to understand. i don't use rename tools very often to it's nice to have an interface that is intuitive enough to work with when you've not seen it for a couple of months.

Love it too. I just renamed a bunch of files today, using BRU and Flash Renamer, and realized that I love the fact that BRU's live preview shows the changes in a different color. Very convenient, easier on the eyes and brain... You can also apply several changes at once, very convenient too.

But Flash Renamer (my other favorite) has some definite pluses : a "path/address bar", which is more convenient (IMHO) than the "jump to path" action in BRU; a "free select" (drag and drop) window to drop files (very convenient if you want to rename files from different folders simultaneously); a preset manager to save presets (you can save presets in BRU too, but it's not as intuitive); and other little sweet features (like MP3 renaming based on file content, file attribute changer, add different file attributes to the name, append multiple different file characteristics to the name, etc.)

I couldn't decide which one to use, but I finally grabbed the FREE Rename Master from JoeJoe, the Jackass! ...

The renaming part of this Master is the finest (thums up) and easy to work with, but unfortunately the "Send To > Rename Master" feature wouldn't work on my XP. And because I also truly disliked the totally strange navigation system this program used, I erased it. The Send To feature is vital I think, and any new renamer of mine must support Send To >

So of course I ask the DC forum: Does 'your' favourite renamer support Send To ??

ReNamer has an option for attaching itself to the folder context menu - you can also add it to the Windows SendTo folder (it has an internal option to do this too) so it can be used with files/file+folder selection combos.

I couldn't decide which one to use, but I finally grabbed the FREE Rename Master from JoeJoe, the Jackass! ...

The renaming part of this Master is the finest (thums up) and easy to work with, but unfortunately the "Send To > Rename Master" feature wouldn't work on my XP. And because I also truly disliked the totally strange navigation system this program used, I erased it. The Send To feature is vital I think, and any new renamer of mine must support Send To >

So of course I ask the DC forum: Does 'your' favourite renamer support Send To ??

Curt - Have you tried "Send To Any" from OpticalReaction.com? It adds a "Send to Any" submenu to the standard "Send To" in your context menu. Folders and Applications.

I can't remember this one being mentioned yet (apologies if it has been): Fast File Renamer

Quote

Fast File Renamer: Rename multiple files at the click of a button!

Current version: 1.0, February 05, 2007

Fast File Renamer is a freeware program which can help you with the tedious task of renaming large numbers of files. The program can be used by anyone who needs to keep large collections of files organized (such as mp3 files, image and graphics files, web-site-related files, system files).

Fast File Renamer also has a 'simulate' function where you can preview the effects of any changes before applying them and it supports the use of the '*' wildcard character (inside the pattern which is to be deleted or replaced).

Looks simpler than most folk here will want, but then, if you have a simple task, this may be easier to use.

That's interesting J-Mac. As I stated above, I'm using Dopus 9 and use it to replace Windows Explorer. I do see Bulk Rename Here in the Dopus context menu. FWIW I'm running XP Pro Sp-2 and can't think of anything that I've done to enable Bulk Rename's context menu 'entry' to display, other than simply running the installer.

Yup -Tomos is correct. However, NB that I had the context menu item in both DOpus 8 and now in Dopus 9. The option is actually to HIDE Windows Explorer items in the Dopus context menu. I wonder if you have inadvertently enabled this feature, J-Mac? Good catch, Tom - I'd forgotten about it. To check for this, J-Mac, hold down the shift key when you right click an item in Dopus. If BRU Context entry appears, you'll know that you have disabled Windows Explorer context menu items. I'll be back in a jiffy to tell you where to look for this setting.

Tomos, Darwin: I know that. I do hide the Windows menu. But with what is left after hiding the Windowsd menu - I don't see the Bulk Renamer item there. Darwin if you do not have that checked then you are not seeing DOpus's menu, but the Windows menu.

They have a tutorial that shows how to go with the DOpus menu but to add back just the Windows items that you want. But it is not clear at all.